Multi-millionaire to referee Ghana's first game

Swede's referee Jonas Eriksson will handle Ghana's World Cup opener against the United States in Natal on Monday, FIFA announced on Saturday. The 38-year-old is not like any other referee. After selling his 15 percent stake in Swedish media rights business IEC over eight years ago, he became a multimillionaire. However, despite his vast wealth, the Swede continues to officiate in his homeland as well as across the continent, insisting that he is spurred on by his love of the game and his favorite hobby. He has been a full international referee for FIFA since 2002. He became a professional referee in 1994 and has been an Swedish Premier league (Allsvenskan) referee since 2000. Eriksson has refereed 263 matches in Allsvenskan, 47 matches in Superettan and 112 international matches as of 2014 He officiated two matches at UEFA EURO 2012 and the second leg of the CONMEBOL/AFC play-off between Uruguay and Jordan in November 2013. He will be assisted by fellow nationals Mathias Klasenius and Daniel Warnmark. Hauata Norbert (from Tahiti) and Range Marwa (from Kenya), will be the fourth official and Reserve Assistant referee respectively. International matches: 89 Yellow cards (per game): 332/3.16 Red cards (per game): 16/0.18 Penalties (per game): 16/0.18